Amu Sharks clinch maiden Shpageeza title

KABUL (Pajhwok): Amu Sharks have trounced Band-i-Amir Dragons by seven wickets to clinch the title of the ninth edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL) for the first time.

The short-format event kicked off on August 12 and concluded on Saturday, featuring leading Afghan cricketers.

Band-i-Amir Dragons won the toss and decided to bat first in the final. Young talented opener Sediq Atal and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi hit half centuries to help their side set the opposition a target of 178.

Hashmatullah slammed 78 runs off 53 balls, with Sediq Atal striking 75 off 57 to post a rspectable total.

But Amu Sharks chased down the target in the 19th over of the game for the loss of three wickets.

For Amu, Shahidullah Kamal scored 59 runs, Mohammad Ishaq 47 and Zubaid Akbari 40.

Nijat Masoud, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar and Amir Hamza grabbed one wicket each for their side.

As part of Afghanistan’s international fixtures, the national squad will take on New Zealand in a one-off Test, beginning from September 9 at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in India.

Afghanistan will also play a three-match ODI home series against South Africa for first time in September.

kk/mud